A Grand Vision
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens are a beautiful and exquisite tribute to the cultures of the world. Their mission is to promote mutual understanding and peace.
Schweinfurth Bridge (19th century) by Charles SchweinfurthCleveland Cultural Gardens
First came Rockefeller Park
The Cultural Gardens lie in Rockefeller Park, the largest public green space in Cleveland. John D. Rockefeller deeded the land to the city in 1897. Charles Schweinfurth, a renowned Cleveland architect at that time, designed the historic bridges that adorn the park.
Shakespeare was the spark
The Gardens' seed was planted in 1916, when a memorial to William Shakespeare was built in what is now the British Cultural Garden. Civic leaders then were brilliantly inspired to designate land to honor immigrant communities in Cleveland.
Hebrew Cultural Garden (20th century) by B. Ashburton TrippCleveland Cultural Gardens
A century of welcome
For the past 100-plus years, the Cultural Gardens have been welcoming new cultures. As of early 2022, it was home to 35 dedicated Gardens and nine more were in development. The Hebrew Garden, pictured here, was the first official Cleveland Cultural Garden.
Nature and nurture
The Cultural Gardens' designs complement the park's natural topography and allow for distinct cultural expression. Pictured here is the Hungarian Garden and its "Wings of Peace" statue nestled below the hillside.
Latvian Garden (2006) by Kalvis Kampe, Al Parker and Girts BurvisCleveland Cultural Gardens
Respect
The Gardens are organic expressions of culture. Each Garden is sponsored by an ethnic or cultural organization responsible for creating its design, raising the funds to build it, and maintaining it. These groups take tremendous pride in their Gardens.
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Making a difference in the world
The Gardens feature symbolic sculpture and statues of artists, writers, musicians, scientists, peacemakers and others who have made contributions to society. Pictured here is composer Johann Sebastian Bach in the German Cultural Garden.
Hearth by Ohio Outdoor SculptureCleveland Cultural Gardens
The artistry of the Gardens
The Cultural Gardens feature work by renowned artists from around the world. In this stainless-steel sculpture, "Hearth," by Khanlar Gasimov, the visitor can see reflections of the earth and sky in its exterior and interior curves.
Doan Brook (1800/2022) by Doan Brook WatershedCleveland Cultural Gardens
A place to enjoy nature
The Gardens are a great place to hike and explore the environment. Doan Brook runs from the upper east side of Cleveland through Rockefeller Park and into Lake Erie. It borders many of our Cultural Gardens and adds to their beauty.
Italian Garden Fountain (20th century) by UnknownCleveland Cultural Gardens
Water, water everywhere
More than a third of the Cultural Gardens feature water elements. Pictured here is the gorgeous, nearly 100-year-old fountain in the Italian Garden.
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The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation is the non-profit umbrella group which promotes and oversees all of the Gardens. In 2020, it completed installation of the Centennial Peace Plaza, an outdoor amphitheater and central gathering space.
African Dance Group (2021) by No creatorCleveland Cultural Gardens
Performing arts in the Cultural Gardens
The Gardens host the World on Stage performing arts series at the plaza each summer and One World Day.
Colombian community (21st century) by No creatorCleveland Cultural Gardens
One World Day
One World Day, held each year on the last Sunday in August, is a multicultural extravaganza. It features a Parade of Flags, a naturalization ceremony for new U.S. citizens, and ethnic food, music and dance in each of the Cultural Gardens.
Confucious and friends (21st century) by ReplicaCleveland Cultural Gardens
Celebrating traditions all year long
Individual Gardens often sponsor events to showcase their communities. Here, the Chinese Garden is enjoying a lion dance with Confucious.
Making Cleveland home
The Cultural Gardens remind us of the many immigrant communities and families who have come to call Northeast Ohio home. This is "Immigrant Mother," a statue by Joseph Turkaly that can be found in the Croatian Garden.
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Enjoy, learn and be amazed by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens
This is Lesia Kvitka, famed poet, writer, collector of folklore, ethnographer and beloved cultural icon who is the central figure in the Ukrainian Cultural Garden.
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The Gardens welcome you year-round
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens are unique in the world. They are a joy and a treasure, free of charge, open to all and welcoming all.
